What better place for a museum devoted to the art of eros and Romanticism than the City of Love? The Musée de la Vie Romantique in Paris reopened last week on the 14 February 2026, strategically timed to coincide with Valentine’s Day.

After closing in September 2024 for a 17‑month renovation, this beloved cultural landmark in the 9th arrondissement’s Nouvelle‑Athènes district returns with refreshed spaces, improved visitor facilities, and a redesigned presentation of its collections.

Housed in the former residence and studio of 19th‑century painter Ary Scheffer, the museum has long been a haven for art lovers, literary figures, and musicians, historically hosting salons attended by the likes of George Sand, Frédéric Chopin, Eugène Delacroix, and Charles Dickens. Only in Paris! The careful restoration of the historic façade and interior architecture preserves the intimate charm of Scheffer’s home while enhancing accessibility, circulation, and visitor comfort.

To mark its reopening, the museum launches the temporary exhibition Face au ciel, Paul Huet en son temps, celebrating the Romantic landscape painter Paul Huet, running through late August 2026. Alongside the updated permanent displays, this show and a programme of guided tours, music, and family activities promise to breathe new life into the institution.

The museum’s garden and the charming Rose Bakery tearoom also return as serene spaces for reflection, completing a rejuvenated visit that blends history, art, and the enduring romance of Paris.

Image: Jeune femme, les mains jointes, Henry Scheffer© Paris Musées / Musée de la Vie romantique